The 26-County general election now seems almost certain to return
Fianna Fail’s Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach, who may do so without the
need to again form a coalition with the decimated Progressive
Democrats.

So far Fianna Fail has 24 seats, Fine Gael has five, the Labour Party
has three and the other parties have one seat each.

Pundits are now suggesting Fianna Fail can secure a majority with the
gain of about three seats and the support of some like-minded
independents.

However, the leader of the main opposition party, Enda Kenny of Fine
Gael, has still not ruled out the possibility of his party forming a
government.

Arriving at the count centre in Castlebar, Mr Kenny said that on the
basis of the initial reports it looks like Fine Gael is the only party
to have made substantial gains.

“Fine Gael’s seats will be up by 60% if its number of seats is over
50, which is very encouraging and heartening after a campaign that was
the most professional ever run by the party”, he said.

He said that you cannot argue with the decision of the people, and
that the candidates have a very long night ahead of them.

Elsewhere, in Dublin South-East, Tanaiste Michael McDowell appears
unlikely to hold his seat, leaving the Progressive Democrats with just
two seats. The Socialist Party lost its sole representative from the
Dail when Joe Higgins was eliminated in Dublin West.

The Green Party and Labour have suffered surprise losses, while former
Fine Gael Minister Michael Lowry, previously linked to a corruption
scandal, has returned to the Dail in Tipperary North as an independent.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams expressed disappointment with his
party’s performance, particularly in Dublin, admitting candidates were
“squeezed” in the battle between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

The party has lost a seat in Dublin South-West, which may yet be
offset by a gain in Donegal North-East.

Arriving at the RDS in Dublin shortly after 5.30pm, Gerry Adams joined
Sinn Féin MEP and candidate in Dublin Central Mary Lou McDonald
outside to speak to media.

“I think our people fought a very good campaign. We were clearly
squeezed in the surge for Fianna Fail. The people decided I think only
in the last maybe week or so who they wanted for Taoiseach and they
wanted Bertie Ahern for Taoiseach,” Mr Adams said.

“We got squeezed in the contest between the two big parties and the
candidates for Taoiseach. But you know we’re long-term political
activists, we have a big political project, we’ll be here tomorrow.”

Mr Ahern said he was particularly disappointed for Sean Crowe, the
sitting TD in Dublin South West, who has been edged out for the last
seat by Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes.

“Fianna Fail did what they do best so I want to congratulate them on
that also, but you know, we’re a bit philosophical about this. We
still have big issues to be sorted out. The issues which we tried to
get debates on like public services, the economy serving the people, a
united Ireland, the equality agenda, all those issues still need
sorted out and we’ll be there to sort them out.

“I lost a seat myself in west Belfast and we came back and we’ll come
back again.”

Elsewhere, Sinn Féin Dail leader Caoimhghin O Caolain was elected on
the first count in Cavan-Monaghan, while Martin Ferris is set to be
returned in North Kerry. Arthur Morgan should hold on in Louth,
while Aengus O Snodaigh is still in a tight race for his seat in
Dublin South-Central.

The party’s MEP, Mary Lou McDonald, said a result was still awaited in
her Dublin Central constituency, although she now seems unlikely to
win the seat she was tipped to take. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is now
being tipped to bring home running-mate Cyprian Brady in his home
constituency.

“Sinn Féin ran a great campaign,” she said.

“The issues that were the big issues yesterday are still the big
issues today. We said it very clearly, it’s about housing, health,
education, about the peace process. So obviously, the competition when
it came down to it was about who the people wanted for taoiseach. And
the people overwhelmingly made it clear that that person is Bertie
Ahern.

“We got squeezed in the contest between the two big parties and the
candidates for taoiseach. But you know we’re long-term political
activists, we have a big political project, we’ll be here tomorrow.”